How to Keep Your Dog Calm and Happy on a Long Car Journey

Author:
Judi Brown
Updated:
Mar 15, 2023 7:36 PM EDT

This guide will help you keep your dog calm and happy during long car rides.
Ignacio Amenábar on Unsplash

How to Keep a Dog Calm and Happy on a Road Trip

A dog in a car isn't a natural state of affairs, so it's no wonder that many of them don't enjoy car travel. Some show their unhappiness by howling or barking, some chew the seats, and others are simply sick. Occasionally, dogs love to travel but get so excited that they leap around, chewing and barking.

None of this behaviour is good for you or the dog. In fact, it's a distracting and therefore dangerous situation. If your attention is being drawn to your back seat, you aren't giving your full attention to the road, and that could cause an accident.

If you are planning a long journey with your pet, don't assume that he will be a model passenger. It is your job to train him to behave during your journey and to take his needs into account when planning your trip. The result will be a happy dog and a safe journey.

Tip 1: Start Early

By making an early start, I don't mean setting your alarm clock at 5 am on the day of your trip, I mean start training your dog to love car travel as soon as you get him. You can't expect a dog who has never been in a car, or who has travelled only rarely, to adjust immediately to a long trip. Instead, introduce your puppy to the car and do it regularly.

If you have a nervous puppy who doesn't like loud noises or new situations, try putting him in the car for a really short amount of time without even turning the engine on. Build up the time slowly and when he is happy with that, start the engine. Again, go slowly with a nervy pup. You don't need to go anywhere. Just sit on the drive for a while with the engine running. Then graduate to short journeys to the store. Over time your dog will accept car travel and be ready to cope with a long journey.

If only your dog could drive for you ...
Tim Fuller via Flickr

Tip 2: Make the Car a Happy Place

Dogs are creatures of habit and your dog is likely to accept a trip in the car if he finds his surroundings familiar and fun. With this in mind, put a familiar toy or blanket in the car for him. If you use a crate in the house and it will fit in the car, put that in for him to sleep in. Give him a treat to munch when he gets into the car and praise good behaviour, just as you do around the house.

Don't scold "bad" behaviour like barking. Instead, work on your "quiet!" command when you are in the house, and use it in the car, making sure you follow it up with praise. Try not to get frustrated or annoyed in the car as dogs pick up emotions quickly. If you are happy and confident, your dog is likely to be too. Conversely, if you are nervous and anxious, your dog will follow suit.

A happy dog in the back of a car
Active Steve via Flickr

Tip 3: A Tired Dog Is a Good Dog

If you plan to get up on the day of your journey, have breakfast and then set off, think again. Your dog will be a far better passenger if he is not full of energy and consequently bored. Make time to exercise him before you set off, even if that means getting up early. And don't make a half-hearted jog around the block, making it just long enough for him to go to the toilet. Have a proper walk, or better still, run. This will pay off in the long run as your dog will be far more willing to lie down and be quiet on the journey.

The splendid Bogart Handsome Devil wearing his car harness
Lulu Hoeller via Flickr

Tip 4: Safety First

Sometimes you see dogs travelling in the backs of trucks or sticking their heads out of car windows and it does look like they are having a good time. However, you should have your dog restrained properly in the car, just like you have your other passengers safe with seatbelts. If you had to brake suddenly and your dog was not safely restrained, he could hurtle forwards, injuring not just himself but anyone he crashed into.

There are three ways to keep your dog safely restrained in the car:

In the back of the car, behind a dog guard
In a dog crate or carrier
In a special seat restraint designed for dogs

Whichever method suits you best, make sure that you introduce it to your dog well in advance of your journey. To fail to do so will result in an unhappy dog who will make the journey miserable not only for himself, but for you.

Crates or carriers can be used in the house for short periods before the journey to let your dog get used to resting in them. Don't ever lock a dog into a crate; the crate should feel like a welcome sanctuary, not a prison. If the dog feels happy in his crate, your journey will run all the more smoothly.

Many dog harnesses are designed to double up as seat belt harnesses. Therefore, you can start walking your dog with the harness so that he is accustomed to the feel of it. He should more easily accept being attached to the seat belt if he doesn't mind the feel of the harness. You might consider putting a blanket on the seat to protect your car seats.

Tip 5: Plan Breaks in Your Journey

Have a look at your route and plan some stops to allow your dog to stretch his legs, have a drink and a toilet break. This is good practice for drivers too!

Don't stop at the side of the highway or motorway if you can avoid it. An over-excited dog and roaring traffic don't mix; accidents happen and you don't want your dog getting loose on a busy road. Instead, plan to pull off into rest areas or away from the highway.

Take water and bowls on long car rides with dogs.
Ewen Roberts via Flickr

Tip 6: Don't Forget the Basics

When you are packing for a long journey, it is easy to forget to pack things. Don't overlook your dog. Remember to pack water, some food and bowls. Take a first-aid kit (don't share yours!). If you are planning to stop and do some sightseeing and leave the dog in the car, remember that dogs overheat in cars very quickly; don't let this happen to your dog.

You should have insurance for your dog anyway, but make sure that you have it before you go on a journey. It is when we are out of our regular routine that things are more likely to go wrong, and it is better to have one less thing to worry about.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Judi Brown (author) from UK on September 27, 2012:

Hi Jim and Laura - yes, can't believe how many people think it's OK for dogs to stay in all day and then wonder why they rip the house apart!

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment - much appreciated!

Jim and Laura from Chicago area on September 27, 2012:

Great content and beautiful photos! We so agree...a tired dog is a happy dog. Too many dogs don't get enough exercise.

Judi Brown (author) from UK on June 30, 2012:

@ John Redd - sorry not to have replied, but only just found this comment in my spam filter! Thanks anyway!

Judi Brown (author) from UK on May 11, 2012:

Hi Suelynn - glad you enjoyed reading this hub, I was delighted that it was a HOTD.

Thanks so much for your very kind comments, very much appreciated :-)

Suelynn from Manitoba, Canada on May 11, 2012:

Judi Bee - what a delightful hub and I can clearly see why it was voted "Hub of the Day." I loved the reading but what I love more is your clear-sighted intelligence and wonderful heart! Voted up and across. :)

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 24, 2012:

Hi Linda - actually, it's been in the back of my mind that I should have thanked you for a fab question. So, thanks very much and thanks for commenting too :-)

Linda Liebrand from San Francisco on March 23, 2012:

I just realised I never said thanks for answering my question! I'm loving this hub, the photos and all the ideas about how to keep a doggie happy on a long trip. Voted up and shared.

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 15, 2012:

Hi jasper420 - I really hope you can help your dog enjoy travelling, it's so much less stress for everyone. Good luck!

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it :-)

jasper420 on March 15, 2012:

Great tips very useful info my dog hates car trips I will try your tips. Well put together!

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 08, 2012:

Hi Ruby - glad you found this hub useful, thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it :-)

Ruby H Rose on March 08, 2012:

Great traveling tips for taking your dog along. I had never thought of a first aid kit. Thanks. Love the pictures! Thumbs up.

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 05, 2012:

Hi Gracenduta - glad you enjoyed the hub, thanks for commenting :-)

Gracenduta from Kenya on March 05, 2012:

Informative, I like the photos. Thanks for the hub

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 04, 2012:

Hi htodd - glad you found this interesting and useful! Thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it :-)

htodd from United States on March 04, 2012:

That's really interesting hub ..useful tips

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 04, 2012:

Hi Nare Anthony - thanks very much for your comment :-)

Nare Gevorgyan on March 03, 2012:

So cute :)

Judi Brown (author) from UK on March 03, 2012:

Hi Audrey - glad to hear that you dog is still enjoying travelling.

Thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it :-)